30-06 or .308? (Considering rifle purchase)
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Art Eatman
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Figuring that most deer-type critters are generally killed inside of a couple of hundred yards, and that the OP is not a handloader:
There's not a nickel's worth of practical difference between a .308 and a .30-'06. Both shoot a 150-grain bullet at very nearly the same muzzle velocity, and not very differently with a 165.
There's not a nickel's worth of practical difference between a .308 and a .30-'06. Both shoot a 150-grain bullet at very nearly the same muzzle velocity, and not very differently with a 165.
Gtscotty
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With 165gr pills, that is more true about 30-06 and 300 wm than it is about .308 and 30-06, but yes, the effect on the deer will be similar.... Thats why I voted 30-06, not a huge difference, but in my opinion, unless you want a short action, or plan to only use 150gr bullets, why not opt for the extra ~200 fps the '06 gives with heavier bullets? Especially since, at least around here, there is no premium in rifle and ammo cost for 30-06 over .308.
Leaky Waders
Member
Buy the action...if it's a long action get her in 3006, if it's a short action then get her in 308...there's really no sense in buying a long action in 308.
I picked 30-06 for myself, just because it is a classic round, my daddy shot it, and it was what I grew up with. I have a Winchester 670 and can work the bolt without moving my face as well, so the short action/long action debate doesn't have an effect on me. Get the rifle that fits you, and then worry about the caliber. In this case, I don't think it makes to much of a difference, even for elk hunting.
Sheepdog1968
Member
Preceived recoil is a very subjective thing. Shooting position (bench vs off-bench) can also make a huge difference. I don't have a problem with recoil but prefer less if I can get it. I've found that Pachymer Limbsavers make it feel as if the recoil is cut into half. From what I've read is that they spread out the energy of the recoil over a longer period of time so it feels like less recoil. It kind of fits with when I've heard people say it's more like a shove than a sharp jolt. Two things I've found that greatly can help:
1. Add a Pachymer limbsaver to the rifle. Will help you flinch less when practicing.
2. For practice, I've found that the Remington Managed Recoil rounds are awesome. They claim a 40% reduction in recoil and from my hands on use (plus that of my brother and a close friend) I believe them. I know they are available in many calibers (30-06 and 30-30 are the only ones I looked at) For my 30-30, it seems to have more recoil than it should and after about 40 rounds of range practice I've ususally had enough. With the Remington Reduced recoil 30-30, I kid you not, it feels as if I am shooting a semi auto 223. During practice, you can use these managed recoil rounds so you get more flinchless practice in). When you hunt, you can then use your normal hunting round.
1. Add a Pachymer limbsaver to the rifle. Will help you flinch less when practicing.
2. For practice, I've found that the Remington Managed Recoil rounds are awesome. They claim a 40% reduction in recoil and from my hands on use (plus that of my brother and a close friend) I believe them. I know they are available in many calibers (30-06 and 30-30 are the only ones I looked at) For my 30-30, it seems to have more recoil than it should and after about 40 rounds of range practice I've ususally had enough. With the Remington Reduced recoil 30-30, I kid you not, it feels as if I am shooting a semi auto 223. During practice, you can use these managed recoil rounds so you get more flinchless practice in). When you hunt, you can then use your normal hunting round.
Oathkeeper1775
Member
.308
I shoot R788 in .308. I used 180 grain in the southeast 30-100 meters ,on hogs, wild dogs and white tails, then I switched to 150 grain out here in western oregon 75-250 meters after I missed my one and only miss.
It was a Roosevelt Elk, he was 320 yards away and way-way down in a canyon. The elevation diference and a snow-covered fir limb at 200 meters got me. Snow and rain on the scope, toughest shot I ever made. I often wonder what would have happened if I had an Od 6 that day.
After that miss, I switched to 150 grain and I am on target again at 260-
300 meters out and 150 meters down. Muzzle to target elevation difference maters big time; and it occurs most of the time out here.
When I shoot side by side with my buddy, we are 150 meters above the targets and 300 meters away; (we aim at the same paper plate) his Od 6 in 180 grain strikes the exact same place as my .308 does. I don't know about energy or FSP. We thought is was a coincidence but ten shots each and they hit the same place.
Previous comments about picking the rifle then the caliber are correct, also consider the true limitations of the calibers and yourself. Some rifles don't handle the caliber well enough to exploit the capabilities of an Od 6..An Od 6 would put me in the ER.
There is something about a .308 though; the balance, economy and effectiveness in the 150 to 180 Grain bullets at the appropriate ranges.
Some data I got a while ago, PM and I can give you the entire word doc.
Cartridge (Wb@MV) Bullet BC 100 yds. 200 yds. MRT@yds.
.308 Win. (150 BT at 2800) .435 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@135 275
.30-06 (180 Sp at 2700) .483 +2.7" +1.5" 3"@125 269
I seen plenty of elk taken with both. The 150 Gr in .308 does the job with well placed shots (provided
you avoid snow-covered fir limbs)
I shoot R788 in .308. I used 180 grain in the southeast 30-100 meters ,on hogs, wild dogs and white tails, then I switched to 150 grain out here in western oregon 75-250 meters after I missed my one and only miss.
It was a Roosevelt Elk, he was 320 yards away and way-way down in a canyon. The elevation diference and a snow-covered fir limb at 200 meters got me. Snow and rain on the scope, toughest shot I ever made. I often wonder what would have happened if I had an Od 6 that day.
After that miss, I switched to 150 grain and I am on target again at 260-
300 meters out and 150 meters down. Muzzle to target elevation difference maters big time; and it occurs most of the time out here.
When I shoot side by side with my buddy, we are 150 meters above the targets and 300 meters away; (we aim at the same paper plate) his Od 6 in 180 grain strikes the exact same place as my .308 does. I don't know about energy or FSP. We thought is was a coincidence but ten shots each and they hit the same place.
Previous comments about picking the rifle then the caliber are correct, also consider the true limitations of the calibers and yourself. Some rifles don't handle the caliber well enough to exploit the capabilities of an Od 6..An Od 6 would put me in the ER.
There is something about a .308 though; the balance, economy and effectiveness in the 150 to 180 Grain bullets at the appropriate ranges.
Some data I got a while ago, PM and I can give you the entire word doc.
Cartridge (Wb@MV) Bullet BC 100 yds. 200 yds. MRT@yds.
.308 Win. (150 BT at 2800) .435 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@135 275
.30-06 (180 Sp at 2700) .483 +2.7" +1.5" 3"@125 269
I seen plenty of elk taken with both. The 150 Gr in .308 does the job with well placed shots (provided
you avoid snow-covered fir limbs)
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tehweej
Member
I have a Savage 116 in 30-06 and love it. 168gr FailSafe's are what I shoot for elk, and this last season it did the job at 550yds (estimated). My dad likes the 300WM with 180s, but I picked the '06 for its "all-around-ability"
Mike1234567
member
RE: AMMO COST...
There's a GB seller with 20 round boxes of Federal 180gr Power-Shok for less than $13 per box. He's advertising lots of 1000 for $1290 but he'll sell smaller lots with a fixed shipping cost of $12. He says he has a LOT available. I bought 1200 rounds. I haven't shot any yet but it appears to be in good shape.
ETA: This is .30-06 ammo.
There's a GB seller with 20 round boxes of Federal 180gr Power-Shok for less than $13 per box. He's advertising lots of 1000 for $1290 but he'll sell smaller lots with a fixed shipping cost of $12. He says he has a LOT available. I bought 1200 rounds. I haven't shot any yet but it appears to be in good shape.
ETA: This is .30-06 ammo.
Last edited:
1stmarine
Member
I am probably not saying anything new that has not been said before but with either choice is hard to go wrong.
I don't think that it is worth discussing too much about differences between these two.
Simple considerations.
If you like short action .308win but I don't personally have an issue with either long or short in a bolt.
If you have an AR-10 might want to keep all your systems in the same ammunition department.
They both have awesome loads for anything you can think of.
There is nothing in this continent that cannot be taken down by either, it is a matter of what range and keep it reasonable. Know you charts and your dope and your hunting bullets and you should be ok.
Anyway for long reach and hard punch one needs to look into the magnums but it is not justifiable for deer, black bear, hogs, elk and many other most common uses. Even Grizzlies and Moose have been taken down by these at moderate range using the best hunting .308 bullets like partitions and barnes TSX.
They both are military based an both have a huge offspring.
The .308 win replaced the 30.06 for military use and offers adequate performance with an smaller footprint.
They both are super popular, affordable and easy to reload.
For the occasional extra punch people customize their .308win to perform in the same range as 30.06 loads (long barrels and slow powders)
but of course the .30.06 can be pumped up too.
One can find great surplus deals in .308win for practice with great brass but there are also good bulk sales for 30.06 although it is a tad more costly to shoot.
Check superformance loads from hornady.
Cheers,
E.
I don't think that it is worth discussing too much about differences between these two.
Simple considerations.
If you like short action .308win but I don't personally have an issue with either long or short in a bolt.
If you have an AR-10 might want to keep all your systems in the same ammunition department.
They both have awesome loads for anything you can think of.
There is nothing in this continent that cannot be taken down by either, it is a matter of what range and keep it reasonable. Know you charts and your dope and your hunting bullets and you should be ok.
Anyway for long reach and hard punch one needs to look into the magnums but it is not justifiable for deer, black bear, hogs, elk and many other most common uses. Even Grizzlies and Moose have been taken down by these at moderate range using the best hunting .308 bullets like partitions and barnes TSX.
They both are military based an both have a huge offspring.
The .308 win replaced the 30.06 for military use and offers adequate performance with an smaller footprint.
They both are super popular, affordable and easy to reload.
For the occasional extra punch people customize their .308win to perform in the same range as 30.06 loads (long barrels and slow powders)
but of course the .30.06 can be pumped up too.
One can find great surplus deals in .308win for practice with great brass but there are also good bulk sales for 30.06 although it is a tad more costly to shoot.
Check superformance loads from hornady.
Cheers,
E.
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